The owners of a Saltburn chocolate shop have spoken of the “rude awakening” they received after discovering a car had crashed into the 19th century building.

James and Tereena Haddow, who have been running Chocolini’s on Windsor Road for the past two years, received a call in the early hours of this morning from a nearby resident telling them what had happened.

James, 57, said: “A car had lost control at about 5am. It careered into the brick post and then into the side of the building.

The scene where a teenager crashed a car into Chocolini's chocolate shop in Saltburn (Image: Chocolini)

“It then went on and hit the control box for the traffic lights which are now not working and ended up in the middle of the road.”

A blue Mini Cooper was involved in the incident at around 4.45am causing damage to the outside of the building including brickwork, the concrete steps and the railings at the entrance.

However, despite considerable damage being caused, the popular chocolatier did open for business as usual thanks to builders who came to the rescue and helped to sort the mess.

James, who also works as a veterinary surgeon, said: “We called Woodall and Sons builders who were out at 7am.

“We don’t know any other builders who would come out at that time and we cannot thank them enough because without them we wouldn’t have been able to open.”

The builders reconstructed the steps and the handrail. However, it is believed that the entrance may have to be rebuilt which means the shop will have to close later while further repair work is carried out.

James and Tereena marked their second anniversary as owners of Chocolini’s last weekend when they were also nominated for the Talk of the Town’s Pride of Saltburn award.

The scene where a teenager crashed a car into Chocolini's chocolate shop in Saltburn

James said: “This is an iconic building in Saltburn. That is why we got it, to help preserve it.

“The only thing I’m feeling at the moment is that I want the parents of these young people to come and see the damage to our beautiful building which survived the war but not this.”

Police cordoned off the front of the shop early this morning, close to the junction with Station Street and Albion Terrace.

The force confirmed that a teenage boy had been arrested after the car smashed into the front of the shop before skidding back into the main carriageway.

The scene where a teenager crashed a car into Chocolini's chocolate shop in Saltburn (Image: Chocolini)

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: “A blue Mini Cooper crashed into the front of a shop, causing damage and then skidded back into the carriageway.

“A teenage boy has been arrested on suspicion of taking a vehicle without consent and drink driving.”